From PCOS to PMOS: Evolving Insights for Modern Practitioners

This webinar focuses on a major international update in women's reproductive endocrinology and metabolic health: the name change from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) to PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome). It explains:

1. Why the old term was considered scientifically and clinically inadequate
2. What the new terminology represents biologically
3. How clinicians should shift diagnostics, screening and management across the life course

Hosted by Ella Kaur (Practitioner Lead, Registered Nutritionist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner) with guest speaker Yuwa Aghedo, ND, BSc, rCNHC.

Key Points Discussed

Why the name change matters

The previous 'polycystic ovarian syndrome' framing is described as overly focused on one organ (the ovaries). It is also misleading because of how 'cysts' are used and understood clinically. This has contributed to delayed or missed diagnosis and patient distress.

What the new terminology reflects

PMOS is presented as a chronic multi-system endocrine and metabolic condition with ovarian manifestations, rather than a primarily ovarian disorder.

Scale and urgency

The condition is very common globally, with estimates of around 1 in 8 women of reproductive age, or around 170 million worldwide.

Diagnostic and screening shift

Screening and baseline monitoring should extend beyond fertility and reproductive outcomes to include cardiometabolic risk and psychological burden.

Life-course perspective

Menarche, pregnancy and perimenopause/menopause are clinically informative stages. Management should align with evolving metabolic and reproductive risks at each stage.

Who and what to assess

A 'whole person' approach structures assessment around four domains:

• Metabolic
• Reproductive
• Psychological
• Skin/integumentary signs (e.g., androgen-related features)

Implementation timeline

The official name change comes into effect in May 2026. An implementation phase runs until 2029 to allow systems, education and resources to update.

Key Takeaways

1. PMOS reframes the condition as multi-system endocrine and metabolic with ovarian manifestations, shifting clinical focus beyond the ovaries and fertility.
2. Whole-person assessment is central: metabolic, psychological, reproductive and skin/androgen features.
3. Early, ongoing metabolic monitoring matters. Baseline testing and periodic retesting should include more than HbA1c and consider risk even when markers look 'normal'.

Conclusion

This webinar gives clinicians a practical reorientation. PMOS is presented as a global, multi-system metabolic-endocrine condition with ovarian and reproductive manifestations. It requires earlier and broader metabolic screening, ongoing monitoring, and psychologically sensitive communication with patients.